Ethics

When elected and public officials misstep -- whether by accepting bribes, failing to report conflicts of interest, or by putting the interests of friends and relatives ahead of the public's -- everyone suffers.

So we work to hold elected officials and public servants to the highest ethical standards. We keep close watch to ensure that our legislators and others in positions of power follow the rules.

We have been the driving force for decades behind critical ethics legislation at the federal and state levels. In the wake of one of the biggest and most recent congressional bribery scandals, for example, we successfully championed the creation of the first-ever independent ethics offices to oversee the House of Representatives. We've challenged governors, members of Congress, even Presidents who've crossed ethical boundaries.

In Washington and in state capitols from coast-to-coast, Common Cause continues to lead efforts to enforce the highest ethical standards on the President, governors and executive branch officials. Learn More ›

In 2008, Governor Heineman and Senator Bill Avery supported imposing a two-year waiting period before former elected officials could become lobbyists. While that plan never came to pass, Common Cause Nebraska continues to encourage the state's legislators to limit the practice. Learn More ›

California Common Cause has a proven track record for monitoring government ethics, holding public officials accountable for misconduct and bringing to light unethical activities that undermine the credibility of state and local government. Learn More ›